WASHINGTON — A new coalition of pork companies formed this past week to state the very opposite of what industry groups like the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) are saying — that a potential overturning of California’s Proposition 12 would be detrimental to their livelihoods.
Leading organizers of the coalition included crate-free pork companies True Story Foods and Niman Ranch along with direct-to-consumer brand ButcherBox. They joined together with independent hog farmers, from small to large operations across the country, to host a Hill briefing in Washington, DC, last week, naming the risks they believe to be associated with Congress’s proposed Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act.
If enacted in the farm bill, the EATS Act would reverse Prop 12 as well as Massachusetts’ Question 3, which the coalition argued would hurt farmers, businesses and consumers.
“As a farmer who has raised pigs without crates for my whole life, I’m frustrated that Congress could overturn something that was strongly supported by voters and affirmed by the Supreme Court,” said Ron Mardesen, an Iowa farmer who partners with Niman Ranch to sell his pigs. “It isn’t right for farmers, for animals or for the American consumer who is demanding stronger animal welfare practices that align with their values.”
Each member of the coalition has found economic opportunity through Prop 12 and Q3 — laws they described as “common-sense, democratically-adopted standards for farm animal welfare.” Both laws set specific housing standards for the raising of pork that is sold in each state.
The group argued that an overturning of the laws sets a dangerous precedent that could have far reaching impacts beyond pork production and agriculture. They believe the EATS Act would be a significant setback for animal welfare.
“We know, from our engaged customer base, how important animal welfare is to Americans,” said Mike Salguero, founder and chief executive officer of ButcherBox. “There is a proven market for animals raised well as consumers become increasingly more aware of how their food is raised and sourced. This percentage of the population will only continue to grow. The EATS Act denies these customers the ability to have a say in the type of products they want to eat, especially those who have voted in favor of these welfare issues.”
For producers who have made modifications to their operations to be Prop-12-compliant, they would endure economic harm following their investments, noted the coalition.
“At True Story Foods, our farmers have invested millions to become compliant with Proposition 12, for our business and the state of California,” said Phil Gatto, co-founder and CEO of True Story Foods. “The EATS Act threatens the livelihoods of our farmers and the future of our business by undermining the progress we’ve made. This isn’t just about upholding humane practices — it’s about protecting the investments and values that our farmers and consumers believe in.”
The coalition opposing EATS has been gaining momentum over the past two years, including through an amicus brief from Niman Ranch that was cited in the Supreme Court’s final decision to affirm Prop 12 and an industry open letter led by ButcherBox and endorsed by 24 companies sent to Congress earlier in the year. Signers included Niman Ranch, True Story Foods, Whole Foods Market, Perdue Foods, Applegate, Thrive Market and Bon Appetit Management Co., to name a few.
The coalition’s Congressional briefing took place right around the time NPPC met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.) to discuss passage of a farm bill that includes a federal fix to Prop 12.
From NPPC’s perspective, Prop 12 inflicts additional costs on producers, raises pork prices for consumers and opens the door to a potential patchwork of 48-plus regulations on how to raise livestock.